Save Money on Gas

The United States Energy Information Administration has reported that in 2010, the average price per gallon of gas was $2.78, and in 2011, is expected to reach almost a dollar more at $3.70 per gallon.

For people that still remember paying 99 cents per gallon back in the nineties, this is a big shocker, and a sign that things are changing and changing fast. Learning to save money on gas is no longer just an option, but a necessary way of life.

But how do you do it, especially as gas prices continue to rise? We’ll show you how in the next few steps.

Drive Less

Yes, it’s obvious, but almost so obvious that people don’t think about it. Consider grabbing a bicycle for short rides to the store or walking children to school instead of driving them (if you can).

Ride on Two Wheels

Motorcycles and scooters get great gas mileage, so if you’ve ever had the thought of buying one then now is the perfect time to do so. You can often find a new or used motorcycle for less than $10,000.

Trade in for a Hybrid

If your car is killing you on gas, then consider trading it in for a hybrid. This is tough to do if your car is new or you owe more than it’s worth, but if you crunch the numbers, it might make sense to make the change so you can save money on gas.

Buy Low

Treat gas prices like the stock market, and try to stock up on fuel when it drops. Buy gas cans and fill them up too. It never hurts to have an abundance of gas if you can buy low and use high.

Pay Cash

Many gas stations offer discounts for paying at the pump with cash. If you find one that does, get in the habit of carrying around some spare cash explicitly for this purpose.

Specialty Cards

Some gas stations offer discounts for paying with their credit cards or their special members cards. The trick here is to make sure you pay it off as soon as you can so that the bills don’t pile up on you.

Rideshare

On Craiglist you will find plenty of people looking to bring an extra person on board to help save money on gas. If you don’t trust Craigslist, it wouldn’t hurt to ask a co-worker, friend, or neighbor to go 50/50 with you on daily commutes or long trips.

Public Transportation

Many cities have bus routes and train routes that ride through most of the major areas. If you’re having a hard time paying for gas, then looking into this option will help you get around without filling up the tank.

Cheap Gas Websites

There are nearly a dozen websites and mobile applications that post regular updates on where you can find the cheapest gas in your area. Use these and you’ll save money on gas every time you fill up.